From Tour de France to Tour de Fresh: Axel Merckx

WATSONVILLE, Calif. – This year’s Tour de Fresh cycling event is proving to be the most exciting yet, with the addition of eight-time Tour de France rider, Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team Owner/Director, and Olympic Bronze Medalist Axel Merckx, who will ride at least one of the three days in support of bringing more fresh fruits and vegetables to schools across the country.

Tour de Fresh has set a goal for raising at least $156,000 and donating 50+ salad bars to U.S. schools this year, and currently has more than 30 riders, including Merckx. Sponsor and major supporter for the event, Locus Traxx (soon to be Emerson), will also provide tracking devices for each rider, which will allow people to see exactly where each rider is at any point throughout the event – a technology debut that will give donors and industry members a real-time update to support riders.

“Axel has been a huge asset to our cyclists as a mentor, and we’re thrilled to have him as part of our Tour de Fresh event this year,” said Anthony Gallino vice president of sales for California Giant. “I know that this year is going to be our best year yet, as proven by the immediate response from so many of our friends within the industry to continue supporting the positive impact we are making in schools.”

“I’m honored and excited to be a part of this year’s Tour de Fresh,” said Merckx. “The event’s dedication to ensuring the youth have healthy eating options is something that is extremely important to me and I’m looking forward to riding with everyone!”

Tour de Fresh, presented by The California Giant Foundation, is the first-of-its-kind, collaborative event that unites the most significant brands and influencers in the fresh produce industry for a three-day cycling event that raises funds to benefit the Salad Bars to Schools campaign. In its first three years (2014-2016), Tour de Fresh received nearly $500,000 in donations to support the placement of more than 200 salad bars in schools across the country. At a cost of $3,125 per salad bar per school, sponsors and participants alike strongly believe that providing healthy eating opportunities for school children should be a requirement.

About Salad Bars to Schools

Salad Bars to Schools is a public health campaign to increase salad bars in schools across the country so that every child has the choice of healthy fruits and vegetables every day at school. Salad Bars to Schools supports the initiative to end childhood obesity in a generation. Salad Bars to Schools founding partners are: The United Fresh Start Foundation, National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance, the Chef Ann Foundation and Whole Kids Foundation. More information can be found online at www.saladbars2schools.org.

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